MASERU – The United Nations (UN) secretary general, Antonio Guterres has called on the world to increase climate action and invest in robust adaptation measures for water sustainability.
health
March 22, 2020
OWN CORRESPONDENT
2 min read
Guterres calls for water sustainability
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Guterres made the remarks on Sunday in his official statement during the commemoration of the World Water Day.
He said by limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world will be in a better position to manage and solve the water crisis that it faces.
The world’s water resources he said are under unprecedented threat, adding that about 2.2 billion people lack safe drinking water while 4.2 billion live without access to adequate sanitation.
“Unless we act with urgency, the impacts of climate change are projected to exacerbate these figures and 4.4 billion people will live with limited access to water, with more than 1 billion of them living in cities,” he said.
He described water as the primary medium through which people perceive the effects of climate change disruption.
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He said global heating and unsustainable use will create unprecedented competition for water resources, leading to the displacement of millions of people.
He said healthy watersheds and water infrastructure with improvements in the efficiency of water use must be scaled up urgently.
“We must anticipate and respond to climate risks at every level of water management. We need to urgently step up efforts to strengthen resilience and adaptation for people affected by climate disruption,” Guterres said.
World Water Day is marked each year on 22 March to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of clean water resources. This year's theme is 'water and climate change'.
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